The Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RFDEW) is a British directed-energy weapon and electronic warfare (EW) system currently under development for the British Armed Forces. It is being developed as part of Project Ealing, a joint project of the Ministry of Defence's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and Defence Equipment & Support agencies, working in conjunction with a team of industry partners, named Team Hersa, which includes Thales UK, QinetiQ, Teledyne e2v and Horiba Mira. [1] [2] It was first unveiled publicly on 16 May 2024 [3] and was field tested for the first time in December 2024. [2]
The system is capable of detecting, tracking and engaging multiple targets on the ground, at sea and in the air up to 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) away, with ongoing development to extend this range further. It beams radio waves to disrupt or damage critical electronic components, such as those found in UAVs or aircraft avionics, with instant effect. At an estimated cost of 10 pence (13 cents) per shot, it is a cheaper alternative to missile-based systems, such as the Aster which has a unit cost of USD$1.3-2.5 million. It is capable of defending against drone swarms and is designed with extensive automation, meaning it can be operated by a single person. [3] [4] [5] The system can be mounted to a variety of platforms, from ships to ground vehicles, and will be used to defend critical assets and bases. [6] [7] It was successfully field tested by the British Army's 7th Air Defence Group in December 2024. [2]
The RFDEW was developed against the backdrop of the Russo-Ukrainian War, the Israel-Hamas War and the Red Sea crisis which have each highlighted the importance of cost-effective counter-UAV systems. [8] The system was revealed following a government pledge to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030. [9]